Unemployment rises to 14.5%

The unemployment rate grew slightly in November, with the number of people signing on the seasonally adjusted Live Register increasing by 1,700.

The increase pushed the standardised unemployment rate up by 0.1 per cent to 14.5 per cent, some 0.3 per cent lower than the rate recorded in November of last year.

Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office show a rise in the Live Register of jobseekers benefit and allowance claimants to 448,600.

In unadjusted terms, there were 429,567 people signing on the Live Register, a monthly fall of less than 1,000. This represents an increase of 4,565 (1.1 per cent) over the course of the year.

The unemployment rate for November is the joint highest this year but estimates have remained in a narrow range throughout the year which the CSO said indicated that “while fluctuations are occurring between months the underlying trend has been relatively flat”.

Some 41.9 per cent (179,890) of those on the Live Register are regarded as long term claimants, up 19.7 per cent on the same period last year. A welfare recipient who is signing on for a year or more is considered to be long-term jobless

The number of male long term claimants increased by 19,939 (18.1 per cent) in the year to November, with the number for females up by 9,624 (24.1 per cent) giving an overall annual increase of 29,563.

The number of Irish nationals on the Live Register has increased by 3,828 (1.1 per cent) this year with non-Irish claimants up by 1 per cent.

Separately, Eurostat said the jobless rate in the euro zone increased to 10.3 per cent from 10.2 per cent in September.

The unemployment rate across the EU as a whole also edged upwards to 9.8 per cent in October, up 0.1 per cent on the previous month, according to figures released today.

The Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) called on the Government to "take the unemployment crisis seriously" and to use the budget to stimulate jobs growth.

Isme said the Government's recently announced jobs plan "used the long fingered approach" rather than immediate action.

Chief executive Mark Fielding said: “The Government needs to recognise that it is enterprise that creates jobs, particularly labour intensive smaller companies.

"Proposals such as VAT hikes, sick pay schemes, motor tax and excise duty increases will have the opposite effect and will only encourage enterprises to cut back further and shed jobs.”

Fianna Fáil spokesman on jobs Willie O’Dea expressed concern at the figures.

“The inadequacy of the Government’s ‘Jobs Initiative’ in May is now clear. It has failed to stimulate job creation, and more jobs are being lost in the economy every week. There are over 5,000 more people signing on the Live Register since the Jobs Initiative.

"I am extremely concerned that the 2 per cent frontloading of VAT in next week’s budget will only add to the problems being experienced by businesses, depress consumer confidence and further increase unemployment," Mr O'Dea said.